Health and ill Health Bulletin

Statistical Press Release
Embargoed until 9.30am Thursday 25 April 2002

Northern Ireland Health and Social Wellbeing Survey 2001

Health and ill-health Bulletin

The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) today published information on health and ill-health from the second Northern Ireland Health and Social Wellbeing Survey. The survey was commissioned by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to monitor the health and wellbeing of the Northern Ireland population.

A representative sample of adults, aged 16 and over, was interviewed between February and July 2001.

The Health and ill-health section of the survey included a range of questions on how people perceive their health. In particular the survey focuses on long standing illness and limiting long-standing illness as well as high blood pressure, circulatory illness asthma and diabetes. The survey also focuses on back pain and musculoskeletal conditions.

Two of the key findings are:

Just over a quarter (28%) of all adults had a health problem or disability that substantially limits their ability to carry out day-to-day activities.

10% of men and 11% of women had been told by a doctor that they had asthma.

Among the key findings from the Health and ill-health section of the survey: -

General health

Respondents were asked how their health had been over the previous 12 months.

Overall, 52% said their health had been ´good´, 31% said it was ´fairly good´ and 17% said it was ´not good´.

Cigarette smokers were more likely to say their health was not good (20%) than ex-smokers (16%) or those who have never smoked (15%).

Almost a half of adults (42%) who were sedentary said their health was not good compared with 9% of those who took an intermediate level of physical activity or 7% who took the recommended level of physical activity levels.

Long standing illness

38% of men and women said they had a long-standing illness, disability or infirmity.

28% of adults said they had a long-standing illness, disability or infirmity that substantially limits their ability to carry out day-to-day activities.

Detection of high blood pressure

Respondents were asked if they had ever been told by a doctor or nurse that they had high blood pressure.

Approximately a quarter (24%) of adults had high blood pressure detected by a health professional.

High blood pressure was detected by a health professional in 19% of men and 21% of women (excluding high blood pressure during pregnancy).

The most common advice given to people with high blood pressure related to their diet (76%).

Circulatory illness, asthma and diabetes

Respondents were asked if they had been diagnosed by a doctor or health professional as having a condition such as angina, heart trouble, a stroke, diabetes or asthma.

The most frequently mentioned condition was asthma (11%) followed by angina (7%).

Angina was most prevalent amongst the elderly, one fifth of adults aged 65 and above had been diagnosed as having angina at some point in their lives.
Asthma was more prevalent amongst the young, 12% of 16-44 year olds had been diagnosed with asthma compared with 10% of those aged 45 and above.

76% of adults had not experienced any of these conditions.

Back pain

Respondents were asked if they had ever consulted a doctor regarding back pain.

Overall, 39% of men and 42% of women had consulted a doctor regarding back pain.

Respondents from a manual occupational background were more likely to have consulted a doctor regarding back pain (44%) than those from a non-manual occupational background (40%).

Approximately a fifth (21%) of respondents had experienced severe back pain in the previous 12 months. Women were more likely than men to have reported severe back pain (22% and 18% respectively).

Musculoskeletal conditions

Respondents were asked if they suffer from any recurrent or continuous pain, swelling or stiffness in any of their joints, their neck or their back.

42% of respondents said they had experienced recurrent or continuous pain swelling or stiffness in any of their joints, neck or back. Women were more likely than men to have reported this (43% compared with 40%).

Respondents from a manual occupational background were more likely to suffer from recurrent joint pain (47%) than respondents from a non-manual background (37%).

33% of respondents who were affected by recurrent pain swelling or stiffness said that their upper body only was affected, 27% lower body only and 40% both upper body and lower body.

Copies of the bulletin and tables are available from the NISRA internet site
at: -

www.nisra.gov.uk

Additionally, the bulletin may be accessed through the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety internet site at:

www.dhsspsni.gov.uk

Alternatively, copies of the bulletin and tables can be obtained from: -

Central Survey Unit
NISRA
McAuley House
2-14 Castle Street
Belfast
BT1 1SY

Tel: (028) 9034 8244
Fax: (028) 9034 8205

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Commissioning of the survey

The Northern Ireland Health and Social Wellbeing Survey was commissioned by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to monitor the health and wellbeing of the Northern Ireland population. The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), which is an Agency within the Department of Finance and Personnel, was commissioned to conduct the fieldwork for the survey.

2. The Aims and Design of the Northern Ireland Health and Social
    Wellbeing Survey

2.1 This report describes the results from the general health section of the second Northern Ireland Health and Social Wellbeing Survey. This survey is designed to yield a representative sample of all adults aged 16 and over living in Northern Ireland. The sample is drawn from the Valuation and Lands Agency list of private addresses and made available to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency for research purposes. People living in institutions (though not in private households in such institutions) are excluded.

2.2 A total of 5000 addresses were issued to a panel of NISRA interviewers on a monthly basis between February and July 2001. In each household contacted, all persons aged 16 and over were asked to take part in the survey. From the allocated sample of 5000 addresses, a total of 5205 full or proxy interviews were obtained.

2.3 A Top line bulletin containing a summary of the survey results was published in December 2001, followed by bulletins on mental health and wellbeing and physical activity. Additional bulletins will be produced over the next 3 months to look at other specific topic areas in more detail. The Bulletins are planned to issue in the following order: Sexual Health and Smoking and Drinking.

Press & PR Contact: DFP Press Office Ann Williamson Tel: 028 90527374